The Freedom

Galatians 5:1–15 NIV84

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11 Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Galatians 5:1–12 NIV84

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11 Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

1. We are free from sin’s power

1. We are free from sin’s power

If the Son set you free, you are really free

You have to remain free

Continue to do things that keep you free

Do not allow yourselves to be yoked by sin

Do not go back to slavery

2. Our freedom is by faith and not through works

Matthew 11:29–30 NIV84

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This is our Christian Hope

His yoke is easy

If you try to gain salvation by works then you have left the Grace of God

No need to burden ourselves with works of the flesh

Outer works do not amount to anything (you can’t manipulate your way in)

3. Stay in the race

The only way to leave the race is for you to quit

Outside influence will keep you from obeying the truth

Pay attention to the little things in life

God is not about confusing you

God sets you free

Its not how you look, it is what you believe

4. Stay away from the yeast of life

Yeast is a substance that causes dough to rise

Too much yeast can cause infection and health problems

Pride can be seen as a sort of yeast—it puffs up

Knowledge without humility puffs up—pride

Pride comes before destruction

Yeast comes from too much sweat stuff in us

5. Our freedom is maintained through the Spirit of God

The Holy Spirit will help you walk in love

We must love our neighbors

Jesus said that all of the law was summed up in two

Love the Lord with everything that you are

Love your neighbor as yourself

Sometimes loving others is a challenge, but the Holy Spirit will help you

The love that comes from God is unconditional

The love of the flesh has conditions

Use your freedom to make the right choice—make the God choice